Divine Mercy
Encyclopedia
The Divine Mercy is a Roman Catholic devotion
to the merciful love of God and the desire to let that love and mercy
flow through one's own heart towards those in need of it. The devotion is due to Saint Mary Faustina Kowalska
(1905-1938), who is known as the Apostle of Mercy.
Faustina Kowalska reported a number of visions of Jesus
and conversations with him which she wrote in her diary, later published as the book Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul
. The three main themes of the devotion are to ask for and obtain the mercy of God, to trust in Christ
's abundant mercy, and finally to show mercy to others and act as a conduit for God's mercy towards them.
The devotion places emphasis on the veneration of the Divine Mercy image which Faustina reported as a vision of Jesus while she was in her cell in the convent. The image is displayed and venerated by Catholics on its own, and is solemnly blessed during Divine Mercy Sunday
. The devotion includes specific prayers such as the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
.
The Divine Mercy devotion is followed by over 100 million Catholics. It is also recognized and celebrated by the Universal Anglican Church.
, Pope John Paul II referred to this when he said: "Apart from the mercy of God there is no other source of hope for mankind".
As in the prayers that form the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
, there are three main themes to the Divine Mercy devotion: to ask for and obtain the mercy of God, to trust in Christ
's abundant mercy, and finally to show mercy to others and act as a conduit for God's mercy towards them.
The first and second elements relate to the signature "Jesus I trust in You" on the Divine Mercy image and Faustina stated that on April 28 1935, the day the first Divine Mercy Sunday
was celebrated, Jesus told her: "Every soul believing and trusting in My Mercy will obtain it".
The third component is reflected in the statement "Call upon My mercy on behalf of sinners" attributed to Jesus in Faustina's diary (Notebook I, items 186-187). This statement is followed in the diary by a specific short prayer: "O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You." which Faustina also recommended for the Hour of Divine Mercy. In her diary (Notebook II, item 742) Faustina wrote that Jesus told her: "I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me." and that he explained that there are three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first-by deed, the second-by word, the third-by prayer.
The Divine Mercy devotion views mercy as the key element in the plan of God for salvation and emphasizes the belief that it was through mercy that God gave his only son for the redemption of mankind, after the fall of Adam. The opening prayer for Divine Mercy Sunday Mass refers to this and begins: "Heavenly Father and God of Mercy, We no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for He is alive and has become the Lord of Life".
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Faustina stated that in her vision Jesus told her:
The chaplet is associated with the paintings of the image as in Faustina's diary. The most widely used is a Polish
image painted by Adolf Hyla
. Hyla painted the image in thanksgiving for having survived World War II
.
In the image, Jesus stands with one hand outstretched in blessing, the other clutching the side wounded by the spear, from which proceed beams of falling light, red and white in color. An explanation of these colors was given to Saint Faustina by Jesus himself saying, "The two rays represent blood and water." This colors of the rays refer the "blood and water" referenced in the Gospel of John
, and which is also mentioned in the optional prayer of the Chaplet. The words “Jesus I Trust in Thee” usually accompany the image, (“Jezu Ufam Tobie” in Polish).
The original Divine Mercy image was painted by Eugene Kazimierowski
in Vilnius
, Lithuania
under St. Faustina's direction. However, according to her diary, she cried upon seeing that the finished picture was not as beautiful as the vision she had received, but Jesus comforted her saying, "Not in the beauty of the color, nor of the brush is the greatness of this image, but in My grace." The picture was widely used during the early years of the devotion, and is still in circulation within the movement, but the Hyla image remains one of the most reproduced renderings.
As a complement to the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a prayer can be said at 3p.m. This is the hour of Jesus' death as he died in the ninth hour.
The Chaplet may be said alone or as part of a Novena
. Faustina wrote that in her visions Jesus instructed her that the Feast of the Divine Mercy (the Sunday after Easter
) be preceded by a Divine Mercy Novena which would begin on Good Friday
and conclude on Divine Mercy Sunday
.
Three o'clock in the afternoon corresponds to the hour at which Jesus died on the cross. This hour is called the "hour of Divine Mercy" or the "hour of great mercy".
was instituted by Pope John Paul II
and is celebrated the Sunday after Easter
on the General Roman Calendar, and is associated with specific indulgence
s.
In an entry in her diary, Faustina stated that anyone who participates in the Mass
and receives the sacrament
s of Confession
and the Eucharist
on this day is assured by Jesus
of full remission of their sins and punishments.
A number of Marian churches
and shrines have been dedicated to Divine Mercy. The Divine Mercy Sanctuary, Krakow
, Poland is the resting place of Saint Faustina. It houses the second Divine Mercy painting.
The Divine Mercy Sanctuary, Vilnius
, Lithuania houses the first Divine Mercy painting.
The Divine Mercy Sanctuary, Plock
, Poland is in the city where Faustina had some of her early visions.
The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts
is managed by the Marian Fathers.
The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, Philippines
is the major church dedicated to Divine Mercy in the Philippines.http://divinemercyshrine-ph.com/divine_asia.php.
The Divine Mercy Shrine, Misamis Oriental
is located on Mindanao island in the Philippines and has a 50 foot statue of Divine Mercy.
The Marians of the Immaculate Conception take an active role in promoting the Divine Mercy message.
The first World Apostolic Congress on Mercy was held in Rome in April 2008 and was inaugurated by Pope Benedict XVI
. Other international congresses on mercy have taken place since.
Catholic devotions
A Roman Catholic devotion is a gift of oneself, or one's activities to God. It is a willingness and desire to dedicate oneself to serve God; either in terms of prayers or in terms of a set of pious acts such as the adoration of God or the veneration of the saints or the Virgin Mary.Roman Catholic...
to the merciful love of God and the desire to let that love and mercy
Mercy
Mercy is broad term that refers to benevolence, forgiveness and kindness in a variety of ethical, religious, social and legal contexts.The concept of a "Merciful God" appears in various religions from Christianity to...
flow through one's own heart towards those in need of it. The devotion is due to Saint Mary Faustina Kowalska
Mary Faustina Kowalska
Maria Faustina Kowalska, commonly known as Saint Faustina, born Helenka Kowalska was a Polish nun, mystic and visionary...
(1905-1938), who is known as the Apostle of Mercy.
Faustina Kowalska reported a number of visions of Jesus
Visions of Jesus and Mary
Since the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Calvary until today, a number of people have claimed to have had visions of Christ and personal conversations with him. Some people make similar claims regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary. Discussions about the authenticity of these visions have often invited...
and conversations with him which she wrote in her diary, later published as the book Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul
Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul
Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul is a book by Roman Catholic saint Faustina Kowalska. The book is based on the contents of her diary from 1934 until her death in 1938....
. The three main themes of the devotion are to ask for and obtain the mercy of God, to trust in Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
's abundant mercy, and finally to show mercy to others and act as a conduit for God's mercy towards them.
The devotion places emphasis on the veneration of the Divine Mercy image which Faustina reported as a vision of Jesus while she was in her cell in the convent. The image is displayed and venerated by Catholics on its own, and is solemnly blessed during Divine Mercy Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday is a Roman Catholic solemnity celebrated the Sunday after Easter. It is based on the Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy due to Saint Faustina Kowalska, and is associated with specific indulgences.-Background:...
. The devotion includes specific prayers such as the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Chaplet of Divine Mercy
The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy is a Roman Catholic devotion based on the visions of Jesus reported by Saint Mary Faustina Kowalska , known as "the Apostle of Mercy." She was a Polish sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and canonized as a Catholic saint in 2000.Faustina...
.
The Divine Mercy devotion is followed by over 100 million Catholics. It is also recognized and celebrated by the Universal Anglican Church.
The devotion
The primary focus of the Divine Mercy devotion is the merciful love of God and the desire to let that love and mercy flow through one's own heart towards those in need of it. As he dedicated the Shrine of Divine MercyDivine Mercy Sanctuary (Krakow)
The Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Kraków, Poland is a Roman Catholic basilica dedicated to the Divine Mercy devotion, as the resting place of Saint Faustina Kowalska....
, Pope John Paul II referred to this when he said: "Apart from the mercy of God there is no other source of hope for mankind".
As in the prayers that form the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Chaplet of Divine Mercy
The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy is a Roman Catholic devotion based on the visions of Jesus reported by Saint Mary Faustina Kowalska , known as "the Apostle of Mercy." She was a Polish sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and canonized as a Catholic saint in 2000.Faustina...
, there are three main themes to the Divine Mercy devotion: to ask for and obtain the mercy of God, to trust in Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
's abundant mercy, and finally to show mercy to others and act as a conduit for God's mercy towards them.
The first and second elements relate to the signature "Jesus I trust in You" on the Divine Mercy image and Faustina stated that on April 28 1935, the day the first Divine Mercy Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday is a Roman Catholic solemnity celebrated the Sunday after Easter. It is based on the Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy due to Saint Faustina Kowalska, and is associated with specific indulgences.-Background:...
was celebrated, Jesus told her: "Every soul believing and trusting in My Mercy will obtain it".
The third component is reflected in the statement "Call upon My mercy on behalf of sinners" attributed to Jesus in Faustina's diary (Notebook I, items 186-187). This statement is followed in the diary by a specific short prayer: "O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You." which Faustina also recommended for the Hour of Divine Mercy. In her diary (Notebook II, item 742) Faustina wrote that Jesus told her: "I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me." and that he explained that there are three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first-by deed, the second-by word, the third-by prayer.
The Divine Mercy devotion views mercy as the key element in the plan of God for salvation and emphasizes the belief that it was through mercy that God gave his only son for the redemption of mankind, after the fall of Adam. The opening prayer for Divine Mercy Sunday Mass refers to this and begins: "Heavenly Father and God of Mercy, We no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for He is alive and has become the Lord of Life".
The image
- "Paint an image according to the pattern you see with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You… I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish."
The chaplet is associated with the paintings of the image as in Faustina's diary. The most widely used is a Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
image painted by Adolf Hyla
Adolf Hyla
Adolf Hyla was a Polish painter and art teacher.He is known for painting a Divine Mercy image in 1943, which remains one of the most often reproduced renditions....
. Hyla painted the image in thanksgiving for having survived World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In the image, Jesus stands with one hand outstretched in blessing, the other clutching the side wounded by the spear, from which proceed beams of falling light, red and white in color. An explanation of these colors was given to Saint Faustina by Jesus himself saying, "The two rays represent blood and water." This colors of the rays refer the "blood and water" referenced in the Gospel of John
Gospel of John
The Gospel According to John , commonly referred to as the Gospel of John or simply John, and often referred to in New Testament scholarship as the Fourth Gospel, is an account of the public ministry of Jesus...
, and which is also mentioned in the optional prayer of the Chaplet. The words “Jesus I Trust in Thee” usually accompany the image, (“Jezu Ufam Tobie” in Polish).
The original Divine Mercy image was painted by Eugene Kazimierowski
Eugene Kazimierowski
Eugene Kazimierowski was a Polish Realistic painter, best known for painting the first Divine Mercy painting in 1934 based on the request of Saint Faustina Kowalska and her confessor Michael Sopocko.Kazimierowski studied at the Kraków Academy of Fine Arts 1892–1897...
in Vilnius
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
, Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
under St. Faustina's direction. However, according to her diary, she cried upon seeing that the finished picture was not as beautiful as the vision she had received, but Jesus comforted her saying, "Not in the beauty of the color, nor of the brush is the greatness of this image, but in My grace." The picture was widely used during the early years of the devotion, and is still in circulation within the movement, but the Hyla image remains one of the most reproduced renderings.
Chaplet and novena
Though the origins of the chaplet and its use of rosary beads are distinctly Catholic in nature, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy can be said by non - Roman Catholics as well. Rosary beads are, indeed, used to say the prayer.As a complement to the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a prayer can be said at 3p.m. This is the hour of Jesus' death as he died in the ninth hour.
"Jesus who died but the source of life flowed out for souls and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O fount of life, immeasurable Divine Mercy,cover the whole world and empty yourself out upon us. O blood and water which flowed out as a fountain of mercy for us, I trust in you.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us and on the whole world (repeat thrice)
Jesus, King of mercy, I trust in you!"
The Chaplet may be said alone or as part of a Novena
Novena
In the Catholic Church, a novena is a devotion consisting of a prayer repeated on nine successive days, asking to obtain special graces. The prayers may come from prayer books, or consist of the recitation of the Rosary , or of short prayers through the day...
. Faustina wrote that in her visions Jesus instructed her that the Feast of the Divine Mercy (the Sunday after Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
) be preceded by a Divine Mercy Novena which would begin on Good Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of...
and conclude on Divine Mercy Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday is a Roman Catholic solemnity celebrated the Sunday after Easter. It is based on the Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy due to Saint Faustina Kowalska, and is associated with specific indulgences.-Background:...
.
Hour of Divine Mercy
In her diary Faustina wrote that Jesus specified three o'clock each afternoon as the hour at which mercy was best received, and asked her to pray the Chaplet of Mercy and venerate the Divine Mercy image at that hour. On October 10, 1937, in her diary (Notebook V, item 1320) Faustina attributed the following statement to Jesus:
As often as you hear the clock strike the third hour immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it, invoke it's omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners, for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul.
Three o'clock in the afternoon corresponds to the hour at which Jesus died on the cross. This hour is called the "hour of Divine Mercy" or the "hour of great mercy".
Divine Mercy Sunday
The feast of Divine Mercy SundayDivine Mercy Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday is a Roman Catholic solemnity celebrated the Sunday after Easter. It is based on the Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy due to Saint Faustina Kowalska, and is associated with specific indulgences.-Background:...
was instituted by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
and is celebrated the Sunday after Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
on the General Roman Calendar, and is associated with specific indulgence
Indulgence
In Catholic theology, an indulgence is the full or partial remission of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven. The indulgence is granted by the Catholic Church after the sinner has confessed and received absolution...
s.
In an entry in her diary, Faustina stated that anyone who participates in the Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
and receives the sacrament
Sacrament
A sacrament is a sacred rite recognized as of particular importance and significance. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites.-General definitions and terms:...
s of Confession
Confession
This article is for the religious practice of confessing one's sins.Confession is the acknowledgment of sin or wrongs...
and the Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
on this day is assured by Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
of full remission of their sins and punishments.
Churches and shrines
Roman Catholic Marian churches
Throughout history, Roman Catholics have built churches to venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today, a large number of Roman Catholic churches dedicated to the Blessed Virgin exist on all continents...
and shrines have been dedicated to Divine Mercy. The Divine Mercy Sanctuary, Krakow
Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Krakow)
The Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Kraków, Poland is a Roman Catholic basilica dedicated to the Divine Mercy devotion, as the resting place of Saint Faustina Kowalska....
, Poland is the resting place of Saint Faustina. It houses the second Divine Mercy painting.
The Divine Mercy Sanctuary, Vilnius
Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Vilnius)
The Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Vilnius, Lithuania is a Roman Catholic shrine dedicated to the Divine Mercy devotion, originated by Saint Faustina Kowalska.-See also:* Divine Mercy Sanctuary * Divine Mercy Sanctuary...
, Lithuania houses the first Divine Mercy painting.
The Divine Mercy Sanctuary, Plock
Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Plock)
The Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Plock, Poland is a Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to the Divine Mercy devotion, originated by Saint Faustina Kowalska.Plock is where Faustina reported some of her early visions....
, Poland is in the city where Faustina had some of her early visions.
The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Stockbridge is a town in Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,947 at the 2010 census...
is managed by the Marian Fathers.
The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, Philippines
National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, Philippines
The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan, is the major church dedicated to Divine Mercy in the Philippines...
is the major church dedicated to Divine Mercy in the Philippines.http://divinemercyshrine-ph.com/divine_asia.php.
The Divine Mercy Shrine, Misamis Oriental
Divine Mercy Shrine (Misamis Oriental)
The Divine Mercy Shrine in Misamis Oriental, Phillipines is located in Divine Mercy Hills, overlooking Macajalar Bay on the Mindanao island, southern part of the Philippines....
is located on Mindanao island in the Philippines and has a 50 foot statue of Divine Mercy.
Orders and institutions
A number or Roman Catholic orders and institutions are devoted to Divine Mercy. The John Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy is managed by the Congregation of Marian Fathers.The Marians of the Immaculate Conception take an active role in promoting the Divine Mercy message.
The first World Apostolic Congress on Mercy was held in Rome in April 2008 and was inaugurated by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
. Other international congresses on mercy have taken place since.
See also
- Faustina KowalskaMary Faustina KowalskaMaria Faustina Kowalska, commonly known as Saint Faustina, born Helenka Kowalska was a Polish nun, mystic and visionary...
- Carmela CarabelliCarmela CarabelliCarmela Carabelli, born Carmelina Negri , better known as Mamma Carmela , was a spiritual daughter of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina and famous Italian mystic...
- Works of MercyWorks of MercyThe Works of Mercy or Acts of Mercy are actions and practices which Christianity in general, and the Methodist Church, Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church in particular, consider expectations to be fulfilled by believers, and are a means of grace, which aid in sanctification.The...
Further reading
- Diary: Divine Mercy in My SoulDiary: Divine Mercy in My SoulDiary: Divine Mercy in My Soul is a book by Roman Catholic saint Faustina Kowalska. The book is based on the contents of her diary from 1934 until her death in 1938....
by Faustina Kowalska 2003 ISBN 1596141107 (online version) - Pope Benedict's Divine Mercy Mandate by David Came 2009 ISBN 9781596142039